Mr. Stump

Like Hitting A Blunt

"SOOOOOOO....Do we know this guy or did he come randomly sweep you off your feet? " Angie questions now getting more involved in the story behind the hickey. My cheeks burn vibrantly and my smile grows wider. Good job trying to hide it Kora.
I exhale loudly and sink back into my seat staring at the ceiling as I begin to wonder how I'm gonna answer their questions.
Should I tell the truth?
No, its too soon for that.
Lie?
To my best friends?
I look back towards them and both their faces resemble the same face Cooper makes when he knows he's getting scraps from the table. Anxious.
" Like I said I don't know if its something or not... " Yes Kora that's the way to do it.." But like I said I really hope it is. And if it is.." I get cut off by Kristina " WE are gonna be the first to know " I smile and nod my head as I reach for the game controller to Pete's Xbox ( yes, the ORIGINAL Xbox.... What? We're old school )
" And since I'm here....I specifically remember that I told Pete AND Angie I could kick their asses at any of the games Pete has " a loud and obnoxious scoff is released from Pete's mouth. " Oh...OH sweetie...your in for a rude awakening... " Pete gets up and turns the Xbox on, opens the tray and puts in a random disc that I was unable to read from where I was sitting.
Angie grabs a controller and so does Pete. Kristina isn't the type to play video games, she's more of the motivational players in our group.
The game loads finally after about 2 minutes of anger Pete opening and closing the tray, Half Life boots up onto his screen.
Oh. This will be interesting.
" Zombies? " a voice from behind us lurks from the hum of the Xbox. We all turn to the warm and happy smile of Pete's grandma. Her lavender sweater and khaki pants match her small purple bird pin that sits in her nest of grey tangled hair. Pete had the same chocolate brown eyes as her, just as reassuring and understand.
" Hey Grand, and yes, what's a better option to kick Kora's butt with? " Pete says as he selects multiplayer mode. A soft chuckle comes from her weary chest.
" Back in my day your grand kicked some butts. " Now, this grabs our attention. Both me and Angie drop our controllers and turn to Grand.
" Oh Grand, do tell " Kristina urges. Grand smiles and finds a seat next to Pete and goes off telling about how she use to be a punk kid...well a hippie in her time. " Against the power of my parents I did whatever I wanted...that's how I met your Grandfather..." She points out in the midst of her story. She explains how they were in the same rally group and as she said " It was like hitting a blunt for the first time...you didn't expect what it was going to be like and after you do, you wanted more and more and more...."
My head reared back to Patrick.
Like hitting a blunt. I had never smoked before but I understood what Grand was talking about, wanting more and more. I wanted more of Patrick. I didn't expect him to be so...accepting. And now that I know he's accepting... I want more of him.
Just then my phone starts to ring with its obnoxiously loud punk ringtone I look to see who's calling me.
Big M.
Mom.
" Excuse me for a second Grand " I say as I exit the room to answer my phone.
" Hey Mom you okay? " I answer with. " Hey sweetie. Thank you for the coffee this morning and feeding Cooper... You're such a sweet kid. " Her tone of voice is groggy and completely exhausted. My heart heaves for her.
" Its okay mom. Did you get enough sleep? " I then ask her
" Barely any. I got in at 3. And I crashed right as I hit the bed " a small chuckle comes through the receiver. I smile and reply " Well some sleep is better than no sleep. " Did she notice I wasn't there? Is she gonna as- " But I did notice something...." She then says....
Shit.
Shit.
Shit.
A long pause between her sentence.
" You used my favorite coffee this morning didn't you? " she says excited. I exhale softly in relief. " Yes mom I did. "
Thank Jeebus.
" Well, be home before dark. I know your at Pete's so you're okay for now " she clarifys as I hear another gulp from her drinking her coffee. " Yes mom. I love you. "
" I love you too sweetie " the line cuts off there.
I turn back to the room to see that Grand had finished her story and Angie and Pete had started the match without me.
I think about what had happened for the past two days and I say to myself.
I can handle this. It could be worse, and I'm happy. Its not illegal, its not hurting anyone and no one needs to know. No need to panic.
Don't panic.
No, not yet.